☰
HomeLiving Beyond BordersGZERO WorldSignalIn 60 SecondsPuppet RegimeGZERO World PodcastContact UsAbout UsCareersPrivacy PolicyTerms

Can the jury trust Trump’s former fixer?

May 13, 2024
Matthew Kendrick
​Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger in Manhattan state court on May 13, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger in Manhattan state court on May 13, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Disgraced attorney Michael Cohen testified for over four hours on Monday about his role in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to control negative stories about him during the 2016 election, including paying off former adult actresses Trump allegedly slept with.

Prosecutors sought to establish how Trump controlled his image (allegedly through payoffs and pressure tactics) and what motivated Cohen to participate so enthusiastically (praise from Trump). He testified that he used his relationship with David Pecker, former CEO of American Media Inc., to buy the life rights to stories that could be damaging to Trump’s campaign, and funnel money through shell corporations to create distance.

Cohen, who served three years in prison for federal crimes including campaign finance violations related to hush-money deals for Trump, was clear that the former president’s interest in killing these stories had little to do with concerns for his marriage. “He wasn't even thinking about [former First Lady Melania Trump], this was all about the campaign," Cohen testified.

The former president’s attorneys will have their turn with Cohen next, and based on their strategy with other witnesses, they’re likely to try to paint Cohen as a known liar. We’ll be watching how he handles cross-examination – and whether Trump sounds off against Cohen on social.

More from GZERO Media

Israel-Hamas ceasefire may hold. Trump’s Gaza plan? Not so much

President Donald Trump meets with Jordan's King Abdullah in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, on Feb. 11, 2025.
REUTERS/Nathan Howard

After some uncertainty earlier this week, phase one of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire seems to be holding even as Donald Trump plans to press forward with his Gaza plan. On Thursday, Hamas promised to release three Israeli hostages, as planned, with Israel set to return Palestinian prisoners in return.

Gabbard and RFK Jr. confirmed by US Senate

Tulsi Gabbard hugs President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2025.
REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Despite opposition from Democrats and skepticism from some Republicans, the US Senate voted Monday to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence in a 52-48 vote. On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary.

Canada’s premiers tour Washington as tariff-mania continues

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, speaks during a press conference with the premiers of Canada in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2025.

REUTERS/Craig Hudson

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, the perfect time for Canada’s 13 premiers to be in Washington, DC, courting … anyone who’ll listen as they make a case for their country in the face of President Donald Trump’s tariff plan.

Is Canada set for a snap election?

Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, is seen here officially announcing his bid for the federal Liberal Party leadership at Laurier Heights Community League in Edmonton, Canada, on Jan. 16, 2025.

Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Reuters

An internal memo from Canada’s New Democratic Party is warning candidates to prepare for a federal election call as early as March 10. The memo suggests that if former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney becomes leader of the Liberal Party on March 9, he might announce an election the next day and send Canadians to the polls this spring.

Can Canada quit the United States?

Jess Frampton

To get a sense of what Canada could do to fight back against US tariffs, while developing a long-term plan to build economic resilience, GZERO’s David Moscrop spoke to economist Kevin Milligan, director of the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia.

Trump-Putin chat over Ukraine "deeply" worries Europe

- YouTube

youtu.be

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: Leaders at the Munich Security Conference are "deeply concerned" after Donald Trump’s unexpected 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, which blindsided the Ukrainians and European allies. Ian Bremmer unpacks the growing tensions in this Quick Take from Munich.

Groundbreaking AI projects showcased at AI Action Summit in Paris

- YouTube

youtu.be

Inside the Grand Palais at the 2025 AI Action Summit, global leaders and innovators gathered to showcase how artificial intelligence is tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The Paris Peace Forum selected 50 groundbreaking AI projects from over 770 applicants across 111 countries for their potential to drive positive change, GZERO’s Tony Maciulis reports.

About UsCareers PressContact Us Privacy PolicyTerms of Use
© 2020 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.